Windscreen wiper device

ABSTRACT

A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, includes an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material having at least one longitudinal groove, in which at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. A connecting device for an oscillating arm is connected to the flexible material of the wiper blade by at least one pin which cooperates with a recess provided along an exterior edge of the longitudinal strip in order to block any movement of the wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to the longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade. The pin allows a movement of the longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at least substantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a windscreen wiper device of the flatblade type, particularly for automobiles, comprising an elastic,elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of aflexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen tobe wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal groove,in which groove at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier elementis disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting devicefor an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating arm can be pivotallyconnected to the connecting device about a pivot axis near one endthereof. Particularly, the oscillating arm can be pivotally connected tothe connecting device with the interposition of a joint part. More inparticular, the wiper blade comprises a spoiler at a side thereof facingaway from the windscreen to be wiped. The longitudinal groove ispreferably a central longitudinal groove accommodating the longitudinalstrip. The longitudinal strip is also called a “flexor”, while theconnecting device is also indicated as a “connector”. In the frameworkof the present invention the connector is preferably made in one piece,also called a “one piece connector”.

Such a windscreen wiper device is generally known. This prior artwindscreen wiper device is designed as a so-called “flat blade” or“yokeless blade”, wherein no use is made of several yokes pivotallyconnected to each other, but wherein the wiper blade is biased by thecarrier element, as a result of which it exhibits a specific curvature.The spoiler is also called an “air deflector”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide an improved windscreen wiperdevice. In order to accomplish that objective, a windscreen wiper deviceof the type referred to in the introduction is characterized accordingto the invention in that the connecting device is connected to theflexible material of the wiper blade by at least one pin, wherein thepin cooperates with a recess provided along an exterior edge of thelongitudinal strip in order to block any movement of the wiper blade inlongitudinal direction thereof relative to the longitudinal strip at thelocation of the interconnection of the connecting device and the wiperblade, wherein the pin allows a movement of the longitudinal strip inupward and downward direction at least perpendicular to the windscreento be wiped. Advantageously, at least two of such pins are provided onopposite sides of the longitudinal strip, wherein the pins arepreferably located opposite one another. In a preferred embodiment theconnecting device is connected to the flexible material of the wiperblade by the at least one pin being of the first type and at least onepin of a second type, wherein the pin of the second type is mountedthrough the flexible material of the wiper blade at the location of theinterconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade in order toblock any lateral movement of longitudinal strip at the location of theinterconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade, andwherein the pins of the first and of the second type allow a movement ofthe longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped. In otherwords, the pin of the first type ensures that the wiper blade and thelongitudinal strip are not allowed to mutually move under the connectingdevice, but particularly in all other areas along the wiper blade aslight movement thereof is made possible in order to allow the wiperblade to follow any curvature of the windscreen to be wiped. It is thisinteraction between the pin of the first type and the wiper blade thatelastomeric material (i.e. usually rubber) of the wiper blade andmaterial of the longitudinal strip (i.e. usually steel) are forced toengage with each other in a locking manner when the connecting device isfinally mounted onto the wiper blade, all at the location under theconnecting device. the pin of the second type ensures that the so-called“fishtailing phenomenon” is avoided at all times. the wiper blade at thelocation outside the connecting device would normally suffer from this“fishtailing phenomenon”, wherein the wiper blade on opposite sides ofthe connecting device vibrates in an uncontrollable manner parallel tothe windscreen to be wiped. Obviously, the “fishtailing phenomenon”results in deteriorated wiping properties, with all negativeconsequences involved, particularly at high speeds. the pin of thesecond type going through the material of the wiper blade is realized atthe time of mounting the connecting device onto the wiper blade duringassembly of all relevant parts of the wiper blade, wherein the goingthrough is particularly effected in a side region of the wiper blade,without having any influence on a bottom region thereof (i.e. containinga wiping lip of the wiper blade). Consequently, wiping properties of thewiper blade are not adversely affected. By allowing the longitudinalstrip to move in upward and downward direction perpendicular to thewindscreen to be wiped against the resiliency of the flexible materialof the wiper blade, the wiper blade is optimally capable to follow anycurvature of the windscreen to be wiped, thereby enhancing the wipingproperties. the connecting device is preferably in one piece.

It is noted that the present invention is not restricted to the use ofonly one longitudinal strip forming the elastic carrier element that isparticularly located in a central longitudinal groove of the wiperblade. Instead, the carrier element may also comprise two longitudinalstrips, wherein the strips are disposed in opposite longitudinal groovesof the wiper blade. The groove (s) may be closed at one outer end.

In a preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device in accordancewith the invention the pin of the first type allows movement of thewiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to thelongitudinal strip outside the location of the interconnection of theconnecting device and the wiper blade. Hence, it is made possible toallow the wiper blade to follow any curvature of the windscreen to bewiped.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the pins of the first and of the second type arestamped through the flexible material of the wiper blade. Preferably,the pin of the second type exerts a transverse force on the longitudinalstrip in order to block any lateral movement of longitudinal strip atthe location of the interconnection of the connecting device and thewiper blade. Preferably, no other force than the transverse force isexerted by the pin of the second type.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the pin of the first type and the pin ofthe second type are separate, i.e. single constructional elementsextending in mounted position at least substantially perpendicular tothe windscreen to be wiped. the pins of the first and of the second typeare preferably sharpened in order to cut through the flexible materialof the wiper blade. The pins of the first and of the second type areparticularly identical in shape and size.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the connecting device has a substantially U-shapedcross-section, wherein free ends of legs of the U-shaped cross-sectionextend inwardly so as to form grooves for receiving longitudinal sidesof the wiper blade, and wherein the free ends are provided with holes,preferably through holes, for receiving the pins of the first type andof the second type. Particularly, the connecting device is connected tothe flexible material of the wiper blade by one pin of the first typeinterconnecting the connecting device and the wiper blade (by insertingit into a hole of the connecting device) near the middle longitudinalplane of the connecting device perpendicular to the windscreen to bewiped and by two pairs of opposite pins of the second typeinterconnecting the connecting device and the wiper blade (by insertingthem into holes of the connecting device) near the outer ends of theconnecting device. More in particular, the connecting device isconnected to the flexible material of the wiper blade by one pair ofopposite pins of the first type interconnecting the connecting deviceand the wiper blade near the middle longitudinal plane of the connectingdevice perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped and by two pairs ofopposite pins of the second type interconnecting the connecting deviceand the wiper blade near the outer ends of the connecting device. Evenmore in particular, the connecting device is connected to the flexiblematerial of the wiper blade by one pair of opposite pins of the firsttype and by one pair of opposite pins of the second type interconnectingthe connecting device and the wiper blade near the outer ends of theconnecting device. Even more in particular, the connecting device isconnected to the flexible material of the wiper blade by two pairs ofopposite pins of the first type interconnecting the connecting deviceand the wiper blade near the outer ends of the connecting device.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the connecting device is pivotallyconnected to the oscillating arm with the interposition of a joint part,wherein the joint part is detachably connected to the connecting deviceby engaging protrusions of the connecting device, at the location of thepivot axis, in recesses provided in the joint part. This is preferablyrealized through a snapping or clipping operation.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the joint part has an at least substantially U-shapedcross-section at the location of its connection to the connectingdevice, wherein the joint part is provided with a recess providedcoaxially with the pivot axis. In particular, the protrusions extendoutwards on either side of the connecting device and are preferablycylindrical in shape. In the alternative, the protrusions are sphericalor frusto-conical in shape. The protrusions that function as bearingsurfaces are thus paced far apart, so that forces exerted thereon willbe relatively low. In yet another preferred variant the joint part isprovided with co-axial through holes in legs of the U-shapedcross-section thereof, wherein a pivot pin is inserted in the throughholes.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device inaccordance with the invention the protrusions are provided with co-axialthrough holes. Accordingly, the wiper blade may then be connected to theoscillating arm on the basis of a so-called “sidelock system”. Theoscillating arm is provided with a joint pin or a pivot pin to beinserted in the co-axial through holes. The pivot pin protrudes in adirection towards the wiper blade and has a pivot axis extending in adirection of the oscillating movement of the oscillating arm.

In another preferred embodiment of a windscreen wiper device accordingto the invention the joint part comprises at least one resilient tongueengaging in a correspondingly shaped hole provided in a base of aU-shaped cross-section of the oscillating arm, and wherein the resilienttongue is rotatable along a hinge axis between an outward positionretaining the wiper blade onto the oscillating arm and an inwardposition releasing the wiper blade from the oscillating arm.Accordingly, the wiper blade may then be connected to the oscillatingarm on the basis of a so-called “toplock system” on the basis of abayonet connection. In order to connect the wiper blade onto theoscillating arm, the resilient tongue is initially pushed in against aspring force—as if it were a push button—and then allowed to spring backinto the hole provided in the oscillating arm, thus snapping, that isclipping the resilient tongue into the hole. By subsequently pushing inagain the resilient tongue against the spring force, the wiper blade maybe released from the oscillating arm.

The present invention also refers to a method for manufacturing awindscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, particularly forautomobiles, comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as wellas an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placedin abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes atleast one longitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinalstrip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper devicecomprises a connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein theoscillating arm can be pivotally connected to the connecting deviceabout a pivot axis near one end thereof, characterized in that first arecess is cut along an exterior edge of the longitudinal strip, whereinthe connecting device is subsequently mounted onto the wiper blade,wherein the longitudinal strip is subsequently inserted inside thegroove, whereinafter at least one pin of the first type and at least onepin of the second type are used, wherein

-   -   first the pin of the second type is used, the pin of the second        type being mounted through the flexible material of the wiper        blade at the location of the interconnection of the connecting        device and the wiper blade in order to block any lateral        movement of longitudinal strip at the location of the        interconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade;    -   secondly the pin of the first type is used, the pin of the first        type cooperating with the recess provided along the exterior        edge of the longitudinal strip in order to block any movement of        the wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relative to        the longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of        the connecting device and the wiper blade; and    -   the pins of the first and of the second type allow a movement of        the longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at least        substantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.

Preferably, when mounting the connecting device, the wiper blade isstressed in longitudinal direction away from the connecting device to bewiped.

It is noted that in the invention use is made of a mounting head fixedfor rotation to a shaft, wherein the shaft is rotatable alternately in aclockwise and in a counterclockwise sense carrying the mounting headinto rotation. Thus, in turn the mounting head draws the connectingdevice into rotation and thereby moves the wiper blade. In thealternative, the mounting head is fixed for translation to a carriage,wherein the carriage can be translated alternately in a one lineardirection and in another counter linear direction carrying the mountinghead into translation. The present invention can therefore be used forcircular or linear movement of the mounting head.

THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained more in detail with reference tofigures illustrated in a drawing, wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of a preferred embodiment of awindscreen wiper device according to the invention, with a joint part;

FIGS. 2 through 4 are several perspective, schematic views of aconnecting device, as used in a windscreen wiper device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows in detail a schematic view from below of the connectingdevice of FIG. 2, further elucidating the working principle of themutual fixation of the wiper blade and the longitudinal strip at thelocation of the connecting device of FIG. 2 according the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the windscreen wiper device of FIG.1 along the line A-A in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of a pin, as used in fixatingthe wiper blade and the longitudinal strip at the location of theconnecting device of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 shows in detail a schematic side view of a dissembled wiperblade, as used in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 9 through 11 correspond to FIG. 5, but relate to other embodimentsof the mutual fixation of the wiper blade and the longitudinal strip atthe location of the connecting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a preferred variant of a windscreen wiper device 1according to the invention. the windscreen wiper device 1 is built up ofan elastomeric wiper blade 2 comprising a central longitudinal groove 3,wherein a longitudinal strip 4 made of spring band steel is fitted inthe longitudinal groove 3 (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). the strip 4 forms aflexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade 2, as it were, whichis thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operative positionbeing that of a windscreen to be wiped). The windscreen wiper device 1is furthermore built up of a connecting device 5 of metal or plastic forconnecting an oscillating wiper arm thereto, with the interposition of ajoint part 6. The oscillating wiper arm is pivotally connected to theconnecting device 5 about a pivot axis near one end. The preferredembodiment of FIG. 1 according to the invention comprises a spoiler or“air deflector” 7 which is made in one piece with the rubber wiper blade2 and which extends along the entire length thereof. No end caps areused, but the free ends of the wiper blade are cut at an oblique angle.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, but fully understood by a skilled person,the oscillating arm is connected to a mounting head fixed for rotationto a shaft driven by a small motor. In use, the shaft rotatesalternately in a clockwise and in a counter-clockwise sense carrying themounting head into rotation also, which in turn draws the oscillatingarm into rotation and by means of the connecting device 5 moves thewiper blade 2.

FIGS. 2 through 4 show in perspective several views of a connectingdevice 5 used in the windscreen wiper device 1 of FIG. 1. As mentionedearlier, this connecting device 5 has a more or less U-shapedcross-section with legs 8. Free ends 9 of the legs 8 of the U-shapedcross-section extend inwardly so as to form grooves or slits 10 forreceiving longitudinal sides 11 of the wiper blade 2. The free ends 9and parallel walls 12 of the connecting device 5 are provided with holes13 for receiving one pin 14 of the first type and two pairs of oppositepins 15 of the second type, as will be further explained hereunder. Theconnecting device 5 further comprises an interior space 16 functioningas a water channel extending in longitudinal direction of the connectingdevice 5. During use the water channel 16 transports rain watertherethrough. In other words, in use rain water is carried away from afirst side of the connecting device 5 facing away from the free end ofthe oscillating arm to a second side of the connecting device 5 facingtowards the free end of the oscillating arm. As a result of theoscillatory movement of the oscillating arm, in practice an overpressure relative to the environment exists at the location of the firstside of the connecting device 5, while an under pressure relative to theenvironment is present at the location of the second side of theconnecting device 5. Due to the over pressure and the under pressurerain water is “automatically” pressed through the water channel.

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 the joint part 6 is detachablyconnected to the connecting device 5 by engaging protrusions 17 of theconnecting device 5, at the location of the pivot axis, in co-axialrecesses 18 provided in the joint part 6. As shown, the protrusions 17extend outwards on either side of the connecting device 5. The jointpart 6 comprises a resilient tongue 19 extending outwardly, while theoscillating arm has a U-shaped cross-section at the location of itsconnection to the joint part 6, so that the tongue 19 engages in anidentically shaped hole provided in a base of the U-shapedcross-section. The connecting device 5 with the wiper blade 2 is mountedonto the oscillating arm as follows. The joint part 6 being alreadyclipped onto the connecting device 5 is pivoted relative to theconnecting device 5, so that the joint part 6 can be easily slided on afree end of the oscillating arm. During this sliding movement theresilient tongue 19 is initially pushed in against a spring force andthen allowed to spring back into the hole in the oscillating arm, thussnapping, that is clipping the resilient tongue 19 into the hole of theoscillating arm. This is a so-called bayonet-connection. The oscillatingarm together with the joint part 6 may then be pivoted back in aposition parallel to the wiper blade 2 in order to be ready for use. Bysubsequently pushing in again the resilient tongue 19 against the springforce (as if it were a push button), the connecting device 5 and thejoint part 6 together with the wiper blade 2 may be released from theoscillating arm. Dismounting the connecting device 5 with the wiperblade 2 from the oscillating arm is thus realized by sliding theconnecting device 5 and the joint part 6 together with the wiper blade 2in a direction away from the oscillating arm.

the longitudinal strip 4, as shown in FIG. 5, is provided along anexterior edge 20 thereof with a recess 21 cooperating with thecorresponding pin 14 of the first type. the recess 21 is made through astamping operation in order to accurately control the shape of therecess 21. In mounted position the wiper blade 2 is allowed to move inlongitudinal direction relative to the longitudinal strip 4 outside thelocation of the interconnection of the connecting device 6 and the wiperblade 2, whereas the pin 14 of the first type ensures that any suchlongitudinal movement of the wiper blade 2 inside the connecting device5 is blocked. The pin 14 of the first type locally deforms the rubber.The retention of the wiper blade 2 additionally may also be the resultof friction between legs 8 or the connecting device 5 and the rubber ofthe wiper blade 2.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in assembled position, the four pins 15 ofthe second type exert a controllable, predetermined pressure on thelongitudinal strip 4, since they are stamped through the rubber materialof the wiper blade 2. Thus, any lateral movement between thelongitudinal strip 4 and the wiper blade 2 at the location of theirinterconnection and between the connecting device 5 and the wiper blade2 at the location of their interconnection is blocked. In use, duringeach oscillatory movement of the oscillatory arm, the wiper blade 2 atthe location outside the connection device 5 would normally suffer fromthe so-called “fishtailing phenomenon”, wherein the wiper blade 2 onopposite sides of the connecting device 5 vibrates in an uncontrollablemanner parallel to a windscreen to be wiped. Obviously, this“fishtailing phenomenon” results in deteriorated wiping properties, withall negative consequences involved, particularly at high speeds. Hence,the longitudinal strip 4 is allowed to exhibit a curvature at thelocation of the interconnection of the connecting device 5 and the wiperblade 2.

Experimental results have shown that the “fishtailing phenomenon” is nowavoided according to the invention at least to a large extend.

The pins 14,15 of the first and of the second type are preferablysharpened in order to cut through the flexible material of the wiperblade 2.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective side view of a longitudinal side 11 of thewiper blade 2, without the pins 14, 15 of the first type and of thesecond type, but with holes 13 showing the longitudinal strip 4 and itsrecess 21 for the one pin of the first type.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show alternative embodiments compared to the oneshown in FIG. 5, wherein the FIGS. 5, 9, 10 and 11 correspond to claims9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively. A skilled person would, for example, easyunderstand that the pins of the first type and of the second type couldhave a round cross-section (elliptical or circular), a rectangularcross-section, or a square cross-section.

The invention is not restricted to the variants shown in the drawing,but it also extends to other preferred embodiments that fall within thescope of the appended claims.

1. A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type, comprising anelastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper bladeof a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least onelongitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip ofthe carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprisesa connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein said connectingdevice is connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade by atleast one pin, wherein said pin cooperates with a recess provided alongan exterior edge of said longitudinal strip in order to block anymovement of said wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereof relativeto said longitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection ofsaid connecting device and said wiper blade, wherein said pin allows amovement of said longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction atleast substantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.
 2. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connectingdevice is connected to the flexible material of said wiper blade by saidat least one pin being of a first type and at least one pin of a secondtype, wherein said pin of the second type is mounted through theflexible material of said wiper blade at the location of theinterconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade in orderto block any lateral movement of longitudinal strip at the location ofthe interconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade, andwherein said pins of the first and of the second type allow a movementof said longitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.
 3. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 2, wherein said pin of thefirst type allows movement of said wiper blade in longitudinal directionthereof relative to said longitudinal strip outside the location of theinterconnection of said connecting device and said wiper blade.
 4. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 2, wherein said pins of thefirst and of the second type are stamped through the flexible materialof said wiper blade.
 5. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 2,wherein said pin of the second type exerts a transverse force on saidlongitudinal strip in order to block any lateral movement oflongitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of saidconnecting device and said wiper blade.
 6. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said pin of the first type and said pin ofthe second type are separate constructional elements extending at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.
 7. Awindscreen wiper device according to claim 2, wherein said pins of thefirst and of the second type are sharpened in order to cut through theflexible material of said wiper blade.
 8. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said connecting device has a substantiallyU-shaped cross-section, wherein free ends of legs of said U-shapedcross-section extend inwardly so as to form grooves for receivinglongitudinal sides of said wiper blade, and wherein said free ends areprovided with holes for receiving said pins of the first type and of thesecond type.
 9. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 2, whereinsaid connecting device is connected to the flexible material of saidwiper blade by one pin of the first type interconnecting said connectingdevice and said wiper blade near the middle longitudinal plane of saidconnecting device perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped and by twopairs of opposite pins of the second type interconnecting saidconnecting device and said wiper blade near the outer ends of saidconnecting device.
 10. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 2,wherein said connecting device is connected to the flexible material ofsaid wiper blade by one pair of opposite pins of the first typeinterconnecting said connecting device and said wiper blade near themiddle longitudinal plane of said connecting device perpendicular to thewindscreen to be wiped and by two pairs of opposite pins of the secondtype interconnecting said connecting device and said wiper blade nearthe outer ends of said connecting device.
 11. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said connecting device is connected to theflexible material of said wiper blade by one pair of opposite pins ofthe first type and by one pair of opposite pins of the second typeinterconnecting said connecting device and said wiper blade near theouter ends of said connecting device.
 12. A windscreen wiper deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said connecting device is connected to theflexible material of said wiper blade by two pairs of opposite pins ofthe first type interconnecting said connecting device and said wiperblade near the outer ends of said connecting device.
 13. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device ispivotally connected to said oscillating arm with the interposition of ajoint part, and wherein said joint part is detachably connected to saidconnecting device by engaging protrusions of said connecting device, atthe location of said pivot axis, in recesses provided in said jointpart.
 14. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein saidjoint part has an at least substantially U-shaped cross-section at thelocation of its connection to said connecting device, and wherein saidjoint part is provided with a recess provided coaxially with said pivotaxis.
 15. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein theprotrusions extend outwards on either side of said connecting device.16. A windscreen wiper device according to claim 13, wherein saidprotrusions are provided with co-axial through holes.
 17. A windscreenwiper device according to claim 13, wherein said joint part comprises atleast one resilient tongue engaging in a correspondingly shaped holeprovided in a base of a U-shaped cross-section of said oscillating arm,and wherein said resilient tongue is rotatable along a hinge axisbetween an outward position retaining said wiper blade onto saidoscillating arm and an inward position releasing said wiper blade fromsaid oscillating arm.
 18. Method for manufacturing a windscreen wiperdevice of the flat blade type, particularly for automobiles, comprisingan elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiperblade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with awindscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least onelongitudinal groove, in which groove at least one longitudinal strip ofthe carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprisesa connecting device for an oscillating arm, wherein the oscillating armcan be pivotally connected to the connecting device about a pivot axisnear one end thereof, wherein first a recess is cut along an exterioredge of the longitudinal strip, wherein the connecting device issubsequently mounted onto the wiper blade, wherein the longitudinalstrip is subsequently inserted inside the groove, whereinafter at leastone pin of the first type and at least one pin of the second type areused, wherein first the pin of the second type is used, the pin of thesecond type being mounted through the flexible material of the wiperblade at the location of the interconnection of the connecting deviceand the wiper blade in order to block any lateral movement oflongitudinal strip at the location of the interconnection of theconnecting device and the wiper blade; secondly the pin of the firsttype is used, the pin of the first type cooperating with the recessprovided along the exterior edge of the longitudinal strip in order toblock any movement of the wiper blade in longitudinal direction thereofrelative to the longitudinal strip at the location of theinterconnection of the connecting device and the wiper blade; and thepins of the first and of the second type allow a movement of thelongitudinal strip in upward and downward direction at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the windscreen to be wiped.